ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Edmund Lowe, whose unruffled, rather cynical pose and caustic epigrams are well known to patrons of the melodramatic type of film, strikes out into deeper channels in "The Great Impersonation," which will have its first presentation at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Lowe is cast in a dual role and the difl'crenee between his one character, that of the vacillating English nobleman Dominey, and the other, a rascally international trader whose wits bring him an exciting if precarious living, makes his task a hard one. He nevertheless manages to make each a clear-cut type and adds considerably to his previously one-sided reputation. His striking resemblance to the English lord leads the trader Von Rngenstoin, to attempt to capitalise his luck by posing as the Englishman, and by using his connection with people in England for his own ends. How he almost succeeds, to be finally uncovered by a young lady (Valerie Hobson) makes a thrilling climax and rounds off a film which is soundly and compactly constructed. The settings to the story vary from the wilds of Africa to a, country estate in England, and the laying of a supposed family ghost makes a striking scene. There is an entertaining supporting programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE Excellent comedy team-work between Joan Bennett and George Raft makes bright entertainment of "She Couldn't Take It," which heads the programme at the Majestic Theatre. Raft as a reformed gangster takes over the task of bringing to heel the crazy Van Dyke family, consisting of Billie Burke, the frivolous mother, Joan Bennett, the wilful madcap daughter, and James Blakely, the inebriate son. Each member of the family displays tendencies to rebel, and the interference of a number of Raft's erstwhile gangster friends complicates matters. The theme is perhaps not a novel one, but it is embellished with the best of American comedy in situation and dialogue. Alan Mowbray and Walter Connolly . complete a well-balanced cast. A splendid supporting programme includes Screen Snapshots, an ail-colo>ur rhapsody, the latest overseas budget and a Columbian comedy, "Hoi Polloi." CIVIC THEATRE The attractirin of nimble dancing combined with bright * singing and comedy and breezy good humour makes an entertaining production of "Top Hat," which will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. Fred Astaire and _ Ginger Rogers, who since their success in "Flying Down to Rio," "The Gay Divorcee" and "Roberta" have practised their dancing steps, their singing duets and their general team-work until it is well-nigh perfect, have the lions' share in the success of the production, although of course there are other factors. The cast of "The Gay Divorcee" proved so highly successful that it was felt unnecessary to change it, with the exception that Alice Brady is replaced by Helen Broderick. Edward Everett Horton has a role practically identical with that in the former film, that of a remarkably subdued husband who is kept well in his place by his better half, Helen Broderick. Eric Blore and Erik Rhodes share other important parts. The sense of rhythm, which is half the charm of Miss Rogers' and Astaire's dancing acrobatics, is fully brought out in a series of new numbers, of which the Piocolino should attain instant popularity. RECENT THEATRE Elissa Landi reveals hitherto unsuspected powers of dramatic acting as the leading player in "Without Regret," which commences a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Miss Landi's task is, to portray the vivaci.ousness and gaiety of a romantic girl just released from school, and, as the picture goes on, to turn into a more mature w&man, whose happy married life is threatened with disaster by the return from the past of a former husband. A murder which throws suspicion on her adds to her task and her study in this role far surpasses her previous efforts. Paul Cavanagh, as the second husband, a leading London physician, makes of his part a dignified character, who takes the broad outlook on the situation in which he is involved. Steven Paradine, the dashing a/td rather wild young aviator, is capably portrayed by Kent Taylor, and his performance as the first husband, who finds his wife established in a completely changed world from his, leaves little room for criticism. Frances Drake is satisfyingly bitter and selfish-minded as the cause of most of the trouble, a jealous woman attached to Taylor. A novelty trio presentation by the Regent Orchestra is included in a fine associate programme. STRAND THEATRE The veteran actress May Robson, well known for her good performances in supporting roles, is given wider scope for her undoubted acting capabilities in "Three Kids and a Queen," which will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Miss Robson, by her restrained study of a mother faced with a troublesome family, fully justifies the confidence placed in her as a leading lady and her portrayal surpasses even that in "Mother's Millions." Charlotte Henry, Henry Armetta and Frankie Darko maintain a high standard of acting in every scene. The theme is a homely one and is marked by delightfully human touches of comedy. A second attraction is "Stormy," a production which epitomises the faithful service given by man's friend, the horse. There are some striking action scenes, featuring the amazingly intelligent horse Rex, while Noah Beery, jun., Fred Kohier, Raymond Hatton and Jean Rogers give good performances. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Edmund Goulding's dramatic play "The Flame Within" will be presented as a screen, plav at the Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres to-day. Ann Harding, Herbert) Marshall and Maureen O'Sullivan handle the main parts. Ben Travers is at his best in "Stormy Weather," which completes the programme. Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls supply unlimited humour. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Two outstanding English comedians, Tom Walls and Cicely Courtneidge, provido irresistible comedy in " Where's My Man," which heads the programme at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. A second attraction of proved popularity is "Way Down East," with Rochelle Hudson as the principal. TUDOR CINEMA William Powell, Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone make an ideal team in "Reckless," which heads the Tudor Cinema programme. A smart and sophisticated theme calls forth the best in comedy and repartee of which the cast is capable. LONDON CINEMA The laconic Lee Tracy heads the cast of "Turn Back the Clock," the main feature at the London Cinema. "State Trooper" completes the programme. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA "Love Me forever," featuring Grace Moore, and "Storm Over the Andes" will be shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE A determined battle between a refined Englishwoman (Rosalind Russell) and the American girl known as China Doll (Jean Hariow) for the love of the skipper of the Kin Lung (Clark Gable) is one of many side plots in "China Seas," which is drawing large crowds to St. James' Theatre. Plots and counter-plots run through the main thread of events on the voyage of a trading vessel from Hongkong to Singapore, but none is allowed to detract from the central theme. Scenes of shipboard life are shown by means of extremely smart photography and the dialogue is up to the best American standard. The supporting programme is outstanding. STAR CINEMA A policy of securing all United Artists productions direct from the Queen Street theatres is to be inaugurated by the Star Cinema to-day when " The Melody Lingers On" will be transferred from the Regent Theatre. This film is one of delicately traced sentiment which is never allowed to become maudlin. Josephine Hutchinson by her noteworthy treatment of a difficult and sustained part attains the top flight of emotional acting and her performance contributes much to the success of the film. George Houston, possessor of a magnificent tenor voice, appears in welcome musical interludes and Mona Barrie and John Halliday ably fill the supporting roles. A colour cartoon, "Mickey on Ice," is included in an entertaining supporting programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A film of action and romance, "TwoFisted," heads the double feature programme now at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Lee Tracy gives one of his most impressive performances as the leading player, and shows distinct talent as a dramatic actor. Such well-, known players as Roscoe Karns and the youthful Kent Taylor fill the lesser parts. The heroine is charming Gail Patrick. "The Virginia Judge," the second attraction, has an attractive theme, which is done full justice by Stepin Fetchit, the giant American negro, in his usual clowning role, and Walter C. Kelly, who scored such a success in "McFadden's Flats." The dialogue throughout is pointed and witty. STATE THEATRE The film version of Victor Hugo's masterpiece "Les Miserables" will commence at the State Theatre to-day. Charles Laughton and Fredric March head a cast which does full justice to the subject. ASTOR" THEATRE "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" and "West Point of the Air" will be screened at the Astor*Theatre to-night. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Peck's Bad Boy," "Fog Over j 'Frisco" and "Pardon My Pups" will be screened at the Britannia Theatre to-night. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA "The Three Musketeers," the film version of Alexandre Dumas' tale, heads the programme at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. "Hot Tip" is a supporting film.